Column: Democracy is not a spectator sport!

With all the media attention on candidates seeking nomination for next year’s presidential election, it is worth reminding voters of the upcoming November 2015 election. There are important state and local issues on the ballot, as well as election of an Anderson Township Trustee.

To help educate voters, the Anderson Unit of the League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area is holding a non-partisan election forum at 7 p.m. Wednesday Oct. 14 at the Anderson Center on Five Mile Road. It is free and open to the public. Candidates running for Hamilton County Municipal Court Judge, District 4 and township trustee will be on hand to meet the public and answer questions.

Information will be available on the three state issues on the ballot. Issue 1 is the Ohio Redistricting Reform Proposal, Issue 2 would restrict monopolies in the Ohio Constitution, and Issue 3 is the proposal to legalize marijuana.

The deadline for registering to vote or changing your address is Oct. 5. Absentee voting and early in-person voting begins Oct. 6. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.

There are lots of resources to help you be an informed voter. Don’t just rely on advertising. Come to the Oct. 14 Anderson forum and hear in person. Pick up a copy of the LWVCA Who & What of Elections voter guide at the library in October. Or, if you prefer online resources, visit vote411.org to see your sample ballot or www.lwvcincinnati.org for additional voter resources and events.

Just remember - Democracy is not a spectator sport! Learn about the candidates and issues and vote.

Elizabeth Brown is vice president of the League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area. She is retired and lives in Mount Washington.